Nigeria’s Coastal States Chart Common Front To Protect Riverine Communities

By Ayodele Oni

Governments of the Coastal States in Nigeria have pushed for a collective effort to jointly address several issues that are peculiar to the areas.

In a historic move to bolster security across Nigeria’s waterways and enhance cross-border trade,  the Coastal State Governments met in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to push for harmonized maritime laws.

Gathering under the aegis of the Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform, the participating states — Ondo, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa emphasized the need for a unified legal framework to protect coastal communities and improve trade with neighbouring countries they share border with.

In a statement issued by the Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor, (Office of the Deputy Governor), John Paul Akinduro, stated that at the end of their inaugural summit held in Uyo, the forum in a communiqué, called for the alignment of all Nigerian maritime laws, including the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, for better enforcement.

The forum also urged increased public awareness on maritime safety and security to encourage compliance with both national and international regulations.

It canvassed that  the country takes advantage of the African Integrated Border Governance Strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Zone to boost cross-border trade between coastal communities and neighbouring countries.

The forum also asked that a percentage of revenue from maritime taxes and crude oil exports be dedicated to coastal security funding.

In most states of the federation, border matters are usually coordinated from the office of the deputy governor.

The chairman of the forum and deputy governor of Bayelsa state, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, explained that the platform became necessary to rally governments of the coastal states to jointly address several issues that are peculiar to the areas.

He said, “In the coastal states we have a peculiar problem of ocean surge that is affecting our coastal communities and these communities are being washed away under our eyes.

“We have the issues of sea piracy and encroachment into our waterways in the name of fishing. When we talk about our people in the coastal communities; to what extent are they being taken care of, to what extent are social amenities being provided for them and others who live around these areas.

“To what extent do they feel they are Nigerians, not citizens of Equatorial Guinea, Benin republic, Ghana and Cameroon. So, they have appetite that we need to satisfy and that is why we have decided to gather here today”

Declaring the event open, Governor of Akwa Ibom state,  Umo Eno, expressed delight at the physical presence of almost all the deputy governors of the coastal states, which he said is an indicative of the seriousness attached to the issues of the coastal communities.

Pastor Eno said the theme of the summit, which is ‘Enhancing the potential of International Coastal Border Communities for National and Recreational Development: The Role of Stakeholders’, has a deep national security implications.

“We, as a people must continually explore ways to maintain and deepen peace with our neighboring countries and even our states, integrate our people living in riverine communities and provide them with essential amenities like schools, medical facilities and other essentials of life that will help them survive and continue to thrive in harmony.”